Hair coloring variegation device and method of use

ABSTRACT

A method and device for selectively entraining hair strands from the scalp having at least one hooking applicator, the at least one hooking applicator employing a hook that rotates to entrain the hair strands, a hair color container having hair color therein and a way to apply the hair color to the entrained hair stands includes a hooking applicator, hair color container, and trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism operates to entrain hair using the hooking application and apply hair color to the hair from the hair color container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the coloring of human hair,and more particularly, to an improved method and device for quickly andeffectively coloring human hair.

Background Art

Hair color variegation is a popular service performed by theprofessional beauty industry. The process involves the segregation ofone or more sections of human hair followed by the treatment of thesegregated hair with a hair coloring method or chemical. The technicalskill required to separate particular sections of a person's hair fromthe remainder has kept this procedure mostly in the purview of hairsalons.

A previously popular method for highlighting hair is described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,562,111. The method disclosed therein involves a cap tightlyfitted over a scalp of combed-back hair. Strands of hair are then pulledthrough holes in the cap with a crochet hook and the exposed hair iscolored to create the effect of variegation. Although this method can besomewhat successful both at keeping the chemical hair coloring frombleeding onto the hair not intended for treatment and creating agenerally variegated look, the necessity of drawing hairs throughindividual holes in the cap makes it difficult for the technician toconsistently draw out a section of hair from the desired area withoutunintentionally entraining undesired sections of hair from areassurrounding the hole. The end result is unpredictable and, sometimes,very undesirable. Moreover, the available variegation pattern isdictated by the location and distribution of the holes in the cap.Additional disadvantages to this method include the inability toeffectively color hair roots, the inability to consistently prevent thebleeding of color to adjacent sections of unselected hair, and the painexperienced by the recipient due to the repeated pulling of her hairthrough small holes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,754 is another example of ahair highlighting method employing a cap over the scalp. This method hasthe identical drawbacks of the '111 patent.

Alternatively, there are various combing methods used to apply haircolor in a variegated manner. A general method involves dipping a combinto a liquid hair color and pulling the comb through the hair to betreated. Only relatively large sections of hair can be treated in thismanner and it is difficult for the operator to avoid color bleeding ontohair not intended for treatment. U.S. Pat. No. 3,349,781 describes amethod wherein a hair stylist parts hair into sections and uses a brushwith a series of spaced tufts to brush streaks onto random strands. Thetufts of the brush are dipped into a hair color composition and retainthe composition until the brush is drawn across the strands to becolored, thus depositing the colorant thereon. This method utilizesprotective sheets placed under and over the streak-treated partingsbefore and after treatment to avoid color bleeding to adjacent hair.However, using this brush method makes it difficult to choose whichstrands of hair will be treated. Hence, there is minimal control overthe placement of the hair treatment. Therefore, larger sections of hairare treated, resulting in a more unnatural hair coloring effect.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,765 describes a modular brush for applying haircolor compositions with a brush body and detachable bristle modules sothat the brush can be configured to achieve a user-defined variegatedpattern. However, this arrangement presents the same limitations asdescribed above for the '781 patent.

A more commonly used technique by those skilled in the art involvesselecting hair through weaving with a conventional tail comb and thenplacing the selected sections onto aluminum foil (or some other sheet ofbarrier material) and then painting sections with a hair colorcomposition. A dispensing device for metallic foil that may be used inthis process is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,608. The foil methodallows for smaller, more independent, more consistently variegatedsections to be treated closer to the scalp, resulting in a morenaturally variegated final appearance. When using this method, thepotential for color bleeding onto surrounding hair is reduced. But evenwith these advantages over other hair color variegation techniques, thefoil method is very time consuming and expensive. For an average client,approximately 30 to 50 minutes is required to complete this method ofhair coloration.

Hair color variegation techniques that involve color treated sectionsthat have been woven away and placed inside a barrier material forprocessing produce natural and attractive variegated appearance. Itfollows then that advancement in the field of hair color variegationinvolves weaving, color treatment and barrier material. Reference willnow be made to technology that attempts to advance on one or more ofthese three general systematic elements.

U.S. Patent Application No. 2005/0028835 discloses “A Device forDispensing a Barrier Material to a Lock of Hair.” This device (althoughsome of the embodiments vary greatly) is comprised of two tapedispensers that are hinged at the roll end. The tape dispenser end(distal to the roll end) opens and closes in such a way as to cause thefaces of the two tapes to touch. A section of hair can be chosen andencapsulated between the two tapes. The face of one or both of the tapesis treated with one or both of the chemical hair color components. Theembodiments also include means within the device to apply hair colorjust before the hair is encapsulated within the tape. This method,although saving time and product, still lacks the ability toautomatically, quickly and accurately weave away a plurality of selectedhair sections for variegation purposes.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,306 discloses a hair-weaving comb that has regularteeth and inwardly barbed teeth attached alternately across the spine ofthe comb. In practice, a thin section of hair is parted away from thescalp. The teeth of the comb are then pushed into the parting and drawnback out. The barbed teeth pick up sections of hair while the straightteeth do not. An operator grabs the hooked hair, pulls the comb away andlets the non-hooked hair fall. This device allows for a faster and moreconsistent weave than the manual hair weaving method. However, it doesnot offer any device or method to apply color or barrier material. Inaddition, the device does not effectively pick up sections of hair in apredictable manner, nor does it pick up hair against a curved scalpsurface.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,243 discloses a comb/color applicator combination.The device discloses a comb with a hollow spine that screws onto acontainer filled with chemical color composition. When the container issqueezed, the chemical composition fills the hollow spine of the comband exits the spine through small holes positioned in between the teethof the comb. Although this device will yield a variegated hair colorappearance, there is a substantial risk of color bleeding because thevariegated hair is not woven away from the rest, and the device fails toprovide the technician with a high degree of control or accuracy.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,722 describes a hair lightening method involving theuse of an optical photosensitizer and a compound capable of providing ahydrogen radical (ethanol is preferred) in a solution. The solution isapplied to the hair and then left to saturate for 5 to 60 minutes. Lowintensity ultraviolet light (typically provided by a comb or hood) isthen applied to the hair causing a hydrogen to be exchanged between thetwo components in the solution, thereby creating hydrogen peroxideinside the hair shaft. The peroxide is excited by the light causing someof the hair pigment (melanin) to be destroyed. As a result, the hairsubjected to the process is lightened. Using this same photochemicalreaction, the '722 patent describes a method whereby the entire head ofhair is saturated with the photosensitive solution followed by thesegregation of small sections of hair by manual weaving. Thenon-segregated hair is masked with an opaque material so that only thesegregated hair is exposed to the low intensity ultraviolet light. Theresult is “highlight” effect among the segregated hair strands. Thetechniques described in the '722 patent involve considerable time andmanual labor.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,393 discloses a hooking mechanism for haircoloration. The implement has a plurality of equidistantly spaced,accurate hook members movable between open and closed positions withrespect to the bottom surface of the body of the implement by anoperating slide member at its top. After thus hooking and engagingspaced groups of hair strands for treatment, the implement is liftedfrom the scalp to isolate the strand groups for bleach or dye treatment.This implement does not offer the operator nearly the degree of controlthat is inherent in the instant invention. Although the bottom surfaceof the device is curved, it does not flexibly conform to the curve ofthe head. This prohibits the device from uniformly selecting portions ofhair.

Furthermore, the '393 patent offers no means by which the hooked haircan have a comfortable tension applied to it when the hooks are in theclosed position. Hair may be hooked away from the scalp, but it cannotbe held against tension—it will simply slide through hooks when theoperator pulls the device away from the head. Finally, the '393 patentdoes not include any means by which it can apply color compositions norany means to assure a safe and controlled contact with the scalp by theswinging hooks.

U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0042643 discloses a hair highlightingtool. However, the disclosed invention does not address the multipleproblems overcome with the instant invention. In fact, it may exacerbatesome of the problems regarding the regulation and control of haircoloration.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,530,358 overcomes many of the problems identified abovebut does not address the problem of applying color of higher viscosity.The '358′ patent does not provide means for expelling high viscosityliquid hair color from a color container onto entrained sections of hairin a controlled manner as does the present invention. The '358′ patentdiscloses a hook that is only useful for entraining hair against anapplicator that distributes low viscosity hair color onto the entrainedsection by way of a ‘wicking’ action. The present invention features ahook and applicator arrangement that, when in the closed position,channels high viscosity liquid hair color onto entrained sections in acontrolled manner. Also, the '358′ hooking mechanism is prohibitivelycomplicated and relies on a mechanism that raises the hook and entrainedsection of hair up to the applicator. The present invention eliminatesthe need for this mechanism without losing function. Furthermore, the'358′ patent describes a mechanical means responsible for confining thehooks to a light controlled contact with the scalp. This mechanicalmeans consists two feet separated into four scalp contact points; twocontact points in front of the hook and two contact points in back ofthe hook creating a hook channel that extends flush with the rotation ofthe hook toward the scalp. The present invention involves an arrangementthat likewise confines the hooks to a light, controlled contact with thescalp also employing two ‘feet’ with two scalp contact points positionedin front of as well as in back of the hook. The present preferredembodiment of the device entrains and gathers the entrained section ofhair differently employing a ‘scissor action’ by gathering the hair asit approaches the closed position between the inside of the hook and theside edges of the scalp contact points or ‘feet’. Considering there arefeet that only occupy the width of the applicator nozzle, this leavesthe entire pivot of the hook toward the nozzle in full view of theoperator. This more open hook arrangement allows the operator a betterview of the entraining of the hair as well as a better view of theapplication of color onto the entrained section than is allowed in the'358′ patent. Finally, unlike the '358′ patent, the present inventionkeeps the color components separated as it dispenses and mixes them justbefore the color comes into contact with the entrained sections.

All of the above-cited prior art addresses certain needs. However, nonesolves the time, consistency and control problems that are encounteredwhen performing the manual hair color variegation technique presentlymost popular in the purview of the hair salon. In addition, none havesuccessfully combined mechanical elements into a single device to giveit the ability to do all that is mentioned in the present disclosure.Accordingly, there is a need for a hair coloration device that safely,accurately, predictably, and quickly applies low and high viscositycolorant to uniformly selected and entrained portions of hair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiment of the hair color variegation device features apre-loaded color container that slides into the front of the handle aswell as hair entraining and color dispensing mechanisms that are engagedin sequence by a single squeeze of the handle. The device is used in onehand by drawing a parting of hair across the scalp with a rod-likemember extending away from the rear of the device. This member is calledthe parting stem. The device is then turned so that the head of thedevice is facing and in line with the parting of hair. The head of thedevice is placed along the parting so that the parting is visible 1/16″to ¼″ or farther above the line of the contact points of the head of thedevice. The head of the device is now urged against the parting, atwhich point the head of the device will conform to the curve of thescalp. In this conformed placement, each hook is now in the correctposition to accurately lift hair against each applicator nozzle. Whileholding the device lightly conformed to the scalp, the operator slowlysqueezes the handle. As the operator slowly squeezes the handle, thehooks pivot simultaneously across the scalp, painlessly entrainingsections of hair against the applicator nozzles. As the operatorcontinues to slowly squeeze the handle, the hooks remain engaged whilethe squeeze plate begins to put pressure on the color container. Thisallows the operator to hold and slide the entrained sections of hairwithout applying the hair color. Continuing to squeeze the handle, thepressure of the squeeze plate onto the color container causes the liquidcolor to move out of the color container and therefore out of theapplicator nozzle and onto the entrained hair. Now, the operator maycarefully pull the device away from the scalp while maintaining acontrolled pressure on the handle. In this manner, hair color is evenlydeposited onto the entrained sections of hair. At this point theoperator may stop applying squeeze pressure while continuing to holdingthe entrained sections of hair. While the hair is still entrained in onehand and no color is being deposited, the operator may place barriermaterial over the color treated sections with the free hand or simplylet the color treated hair drop back into the rest of the hair. Thisapplication process may be repeated many times in one variegated haircolor service.

Variations of the device may employ a single hooking applicator as wellas any number of hooking applicators up to six or more hookingapplicators. Certain variations of the device that employ one andperhaps up to three hooking applicators will not need a curvatureconformation feature.

Hooking applicators vary in size allowing embodiments of the device toentrain individual sections of hair of varying size.

Other embodiments of the device feature a variety of detachable headunits. This allows a single device handle to accommodate a variety ofhead units each featuring different numbers and sizes of hookingapplicators.

Still other embodiments allow the operator to restrict the flow of haircolor to some of the hooking applicators while allowing color to flowthrough others while the device is in use, while other embodimentsprovide a mechanical alternative to the rack and pinion gear drive thatpivots the hook/hooks in the form of a lever system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Note: The following Brief Description of Drawings as well as theDetailed Description of Drawings that follows repeatedly refer to thefollowing terms: open position and closed position. Open position refersto the hook 2 a as it appears having pivoted away from the applicatornozzle 11 a (see FIG. 1A). The closed position refers to the hook 2 a asit appears having pivoted into contact with the applicator nozzle 11 a(see FIG. 1B).

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a single hooking applicator 1 aof the preferred embodiment. This figure depicts the hooking applicatoras it appears with the hook 2 a in the open position.

FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of a single hooking applicator ofthe preferred embodiment. This figure depicts the hooking applicator asit appears with the hook 2 a in the closed position.

FIG. 1C is a front view of the front of an applicator nozzle 11 a and afoot 4 a. This figure depicts the preferred location of the scissorsedge 4 f of the foot 4 a.

FIG. 1D is a front view of a hooking applicator 1 a and depicts arelocation of the scissors edge 4 f of the foot 4 a.

FIG. 2A is a bottom view of a single hooking applicator of the preferredembodiment, each depicting the hook point in the closed position withthe hook point positioned in the front of the hook.

FIG. 2B is a bottom view of a single hooking applicator of the preferredembodiment, each depicting the hook point in the closed position withthe hook point positioned in the back of the hook.

FIG. 2C is a bottom view of a single hooking applicator of the preferredembodiment, each depicting the hook point in the closed position withthe hook point positioned in the middle of the hook.

FIG. 3A is a magnified front perspective view of the preferredembodiment depicting the hook 2 a, nozzle 11 a and feet 4 a in the openposition and provides a detailed depiction of the geometry of each.

FIG. 3B is a magnified front perspective view of the preferredembodiment depicting the hook 2 a, nozzle 11 a and feet 4 a in theclosed position with a section of hair entrained therein.

FIG. 3C is a magnified front perspective view of the preferredembodiment depicting the hook 2 a, nozzle 11 a and feet 4 a in theclosed position and provides a detailed sectional depiction of thegeometry of each.

FIG. 3D is a magnified front perspective view of the preferredembodiment illustrating the hook 2 a, nozzle 11 a and feet 4 a in theclosed position and shows an alternative embodiment of the feet 4 a.

FIG. 4A is a magnified bottom views of the preferred embodiment ofhooking applicator together providing a serial depiction a first step ofthe mechanical process of hair section entrainment.

FIG. 4B is a magnified bottom view of the preferred embodiment ofhooking applicator together providing a serial depiction of a secondstep of the mechanical process of hair section entrainment.

FIG. 4C is a magnified bottom view of the preferred embodiment ofhooking applicator together providing a serial depiction of a third stepof the mechanical process of hair section entrainment.

FIG. 4D is a magnified bottom view of the preferred embodiment ofhooking applicator together providing a serial depiction of a fourthstep of the mechanical process of hair section entrainment.

FIG. 5A is a magnified front perspective view of an alternativeembodiment of the hook 2 a, nozzle 11 a and feet 4 a in the openposition and depicts an alternative arrangement of the hair channel 2 band color channel 2 c.

FIG. 5B is a magnified front perspective view of an alternativeembodiment of the hook 2 a, nozzle 11 a and feet 4 a in the closedposition. This figure depicts the alternative arrangement of the hairchannel 2 b and color channel 2 c shown in FIG. 5A with a section ofhair entrained within.

FIG. 6A is a magnified front perspective view of an alternativeembodiment of the hook 2 a, nozzle 11 a and feet 4 a in the openpositions that illustrates yet another alternative arrangement of thehair channel 2 b and color channel 2 c.

FIG. 6B is a magnified front perspective view[s] of an alternativeembodiment of the hook 2 a, nozzle 11 a and feet 4 a in the closedposition that illustrates yet another alternative arrangement of thehair channel 2 b and color channel 2 c.

FIG. 7A is a magnified front view of an alternative embodiment of thehook 2 a, nozzle 11 a and feet 4 a in the open that depicts analternative arrangement of the hook 2 a and nozzle 11 a featuring a hooktooth 3 b and nozzle seal 11 b.

FIG. 7B is a magnified front view of an alternative embodiment of thehook 2 a, nozzle 11 a and feet 4 a in the closed position that depictsan alternative arrangement of the hook 2 a and nozzle 11 a featuring ahook tooth 3 b and nozzle seal 11 b.

FIG .8 is a front perspective view of the complete mechanicalarrangement of the preferred embodiment. In order to provide a clearerdepiction, this figure includes isolated duplicate views of threecomponents arranged around the complete view.

FIG. 9A is a front view of the preferred embodiment depicting,respectively, a first stage of a sequence of functional interaction ofsaid embodiment with a parting of hair 1 c that depicts the positionsand relationships of the individual mechanisms in the first of the fourdepicted stages of a single cycle of mechanical engagement.

FIG. 9B is a front view of the preferred embodiment depicting,respectively, a second stage of a sequence of functional interaction ofsaid embodiment with a parting of hair 1 c that depicts the positionsand relationships of the individual mechanisms in the second of fourdepicted stages of a single cycle of mechanical engagement.

FIG. 9C is a front view of the preferred embodiment depicting,respectively, a third stage of a sequence of functional interaction ofsaid embodiment with a parting of hair 1 c that depicts the positionsand relationships of the individual mechanisms in the third of fourdepicted stages of a single cycle of mechanical engagement.

FIG. 9D is a front view of the preferred embodiment depicting,respectively, a fourth stage of a sequence of functional interaction ofsaid embodiment with a parting of hair 1 c that depicts the positionsand relationships of the individual mechanisms in the fourth of fourdepicted stages of a single cycle of mechanical engagement.

FIG. 10A is a side view of a complete assembly of the preferredembodiment depicting a sequence of functional interaction of saidembodiment with a parting of hair 1 c that illustrate the positions andrelationships of the individual mechanisms in the first of four depictedstages. These four depicted stages combine to illustrate a single cycleof mechanical engagement including entrainment of hair sections anddispensing of hair color respectively. In order to demonstrate scale aswell as how said embodiment may be held while in use, a hand is depictedholding said embodiment in a functional manner.

FIG. 10B is a side view of a complete assembly of the preferredembodiment depicting a sequence of functional interaction of saidembodiment with a parting of hair 1 c that illustrates the positions andrelationships of the individual mechanisms in the second of the fourdepicted stages.

FIG. 10C is a side view of a complete assembly of the preferredembodiment depicting a sequence of functional interaction of saidembodiment with a parting of hair 1 e that illustrates the positions andrelationships of the individual mechanisms in the third of the fourdepicted stages.

FIG. 10D is a side view of a complete assembly of the preferredembodiment depicting a sequence of functional interaction of saidembodiment with a parting of hair 1 c that illustrates the positions andrelationships of the individual mechanisms in the second of the fourdepicted stages.

FIG. 11A is a perspective side views of a first embodiment of the colorcontainer and manifold hose system featured in the preferred embodimentdepicted in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11B is a perspective side views of a second embodiment of the colorcontainer and manifold hose system featured in the preferred embodimentdepicted in FIG. 8.

FIG. 12A is a front perspective view of a complete assembly of thepreferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 8 including additional mechanicalfunctions located at the front of the device. One additional mechanismdepicted allows the operator to interrupt the flow of liquid color toone or more hoses along the manifold while allowing flow to others. Thesecond of said functions allows the slide actuator tine/tines 93 toslide telescopically within the slide tine seat 94.

FIG. 12B is a side view of the one additional mechanical functiondepicted in FIG. 12A. These views illustrate the relative positions ofthe individual mechanisms involved in each of said additional mechanicalfunctions as the mechanisms appear in the disengaged and engagedpositions respectively.

FIG. 12C is a side view of another an additional mechanical functiondepicted in FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13 depicts an alternative mechanical assembly of the head 14 a ofthe preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8. This assembly utilizesan angled position of each hooking applicator 1 a along the head 14 a ofsaid preferred embodiment in order for the pivoting action of each hook2 a to avoid being interrupted by the applicator nozzle 11 a of eachadjacent hooking applicator 1 a.

FIG. 14A depicts one alternative mechanical arrangement of the hookingapplicator 1 a depicted in FIG. 1A-1B. This hooking applicator 70embodiment utilizes a hook slide 61 and hook lever 65 arrangement as amechanical means to pivot the hook 2 a.

FIG. 14B depicts another alternative mechanical arrangement of thehooking applicator 1 a depicted in FIG. 1A-1B.

FIG. 15A illustrates a complete embodiment of the device while providingan alternative assembly to the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 8showing one position of operation. This alternative embodiment possessesan identical functional action as the FIG. 8 embodiment while utilizingan alternative mechanical means that integrates a device head 14 acomprised of a row of lever action hooking applicators 70 described inFIGS. 14A-14B.

FIG. 15B shows the device of FIG. 15A in another position of operation.

FIG. 16A depicts a front view of the lever action hooking applicatorembodiment depicted in FIGS. 15A-15B and provides a view of the actionof the individual mechanisms located at the front of the device as theyfunction in a first sequence to pivot the hooks.

FIG. 16B shows the device of FIG. 16A in a second sequence.

FIG. 17 is a top view of the device illustrated in FIGS. 15A-15B. Thisview provides a more complete description of the mechanical functiondescribed in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16.

FIG. 18 depicts an alternative mechanical arrangement of the hookingapplicator described in FIGS. 1A-1B. This hooking applicatorillustration describes the mechanical means necessary to render anembodiment of the device capable of dispensing a stick or sticks of haircolor chalk, mascara, etc. onto an entrained section/sections of hair.

FIG. 19A depicts a first of five of the many possible head arrangementsthat may be assembled in order to give the operator various options forthe final hair color variegation appearance. These figures combinevarious hook/hooking applicator sizes with varying distances between thehooks/hooking applicators to give the operator the opportunity toprovide the hair color variegation service recipient with choicespertaining to the size of the sections being treated (by varying thesize of the hook) and the distance between the treated sections (byvarying the distance between the treated sections).

In addition to the option of having multiple hair color variegationdevices, each with a fixed head of a different hooking applicatororientation, the operator may also be given the opportunity to have oneof said device body along with several different detachable heads. FIGS.20A-20B as well as FIGS. 21A-21C and FIGS. 22A-22F depict mechanicalassemblies of varied sophistication, thereby, providing a range ofopportunity for embodiments with such a feature.

FIG. 19B depicts a second head arrangement.

FIG. 19C depicts a third head arrangement.

FIG. 19D depicts a fourth head arrangement.

FIG. 19E depicts a fifth head arrangement.

FIG. 20A depicts a head and manifold of said device that detaches bydisengaging the roller couplings from the head mounts as well as therack gear from the rack slide and shows a side view of this arrangementin the attached position.

FIG. 20B shows the device of FIG. 20A in a detached position.

FIG. 21A depicts a head, manifold, head mount and rack slide assemblythat detaches from the top hinge section of said device. In addition tothe detachable head, this figure shows actuator tines removable from thebottom hinge section-and shows a side view this arrangement in theattached position.

FIG. 21B shows the device of FIG. 21A in a detached position. FIG. 21Cshows a side view of the device of FIG. 21A in terms of removability.

FIG. 22A illustrates a top view of said device including the mechanicalassemblies that allow the head mounts, rack slide and actuator tineassemblies to be adjustable rather than removable while the head andmanifold remain removable in a first position. FIG. 22F illustrates abottom view of said device illustrating an adjustable actuator tineassembly.

FIG. 22B shows the device of FIG. 22A in one operational position.

FIG. 22C shows the device of FIG. 22A in a different operationalposition.

FIG. 22D shows the device of FIG. 22A in yet a different position.

FIG. 22E shows the device of FIG. 22A in still another operationalposition.

FIG. 22F illustrates a bottom view of said device illustrating anadjustable actuator tine assembly.

FIG. 23A depict a preferred embodiment of the hair color variegationdevice in the form of a compact, single hooking applicator, pen ormarker like appliance and depicts a perspective side view of a completeassembly of said device.

FIG. 23B shows one close up front perspective view depicted to describethe mechanical assemblies involved in the pivoting of the hook from theopen to closed position respectively.

FIG. 23C shows another close-up front perspective view depicted todescribe the mechanical assemblies involved in the pivoting of the hookfrom the open to closed position respectively.

FIG. 24A represents a top view of a complete assembly of the deviceincluding the means for liquid hair color application and a first in aseries of mechanical operations causing the hook to pivot and the colorto dispense respectively.

FIG. 24B shows the device of FIG. 24A in a second step in the series ofoperations.

FIG. 24C shows the device of FIG. 24A in a third step in the series ofoperations.

FIG. 24D shows the device of FIG. 24A in a fourth step in the series ofoperations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention is a squeeze operated, hand held device that isused to selectively entrain and color human hair. The inventionaddresses separate and distinct technical needs of professional haircolorists and individuals desiring a controlled method of selectivelycoloring their hair.

The central mechanical aspect of the present invention consists of ahook that pivots along a scalp of hair and entrains a section of hairagainst a color applicator nozzle. This being the case, it is thereforefitting to begin the detailed description with an explanation of thehook and applicator nozzle as well as the various mechanicalinteractions thereof in respect to the section of hair that isentrained.

Relating to the hook and applicator nozzle, the open position' andclosed position' will be referred to many times. For the sake ofminimizing redundancy (see FIGS. 1A and 1B), the term “open position”always refers to the hook 2 a as having pivoted to the farthest positionaway from the applicator nozzle 11 a. The term “closed position” alwaysrefers to the hollow of the hook 2 a as having pivoted into contact withthe applicator nozzle 11 a having entrained a section of hair 1 bbetween.

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict hooking applicators 1 a in the open and closedpositions respectively. The hook 2 a in each figure is fixed to an axle9; and, the axle 9 pivots in a gear box 6.

The hook 2 a consists of a short length of longitudinally halved tubelaterally pivotal on one straight edge and longitudinally tapered on theopposite edge forming the hook point 3 a.

Each of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C depicts a bottom view of the hookingapplicator 1 a in the closed position; however, FIG. 2A depicts the hookpoint 3 a at the front of the hook 2 a, FIG. 2B depicts the hook point 3a at the back of the hook 2 a and FIG. 2C depicts the hook point 3 a atthe middle of the hook 2 a. The location of the hook point 3 a presentsa difference in the way the hook 2 a entrains a section of hair 1 b:withboth types of hooks 2 a pivoting along a parting of hair 1 c from thesame position relative to the part 1 c, a hook 2 a that is pointed onthe front 3 a will entrain less hair than a hook 2 a that is pointed onthe back 3 a.

FIG. 3A depicts the hooking applicator in the open position; morespecifically, it outlines the hollow 2 d (depicted by a bold black line)of the hook 2 a and depicts the nozzle 11 a as being partially coveredby a layer of viscoelastic foam 11 b (or any other applicable flexiblematerial). FIG. 3B illustrates the hollow 2 d of the hook 2 a and thecylinder of the applicator nozzle 11 a are an accurate fit while in theclosed position. FIG. 3C is a sectional view of the closed position andillustrates how this accurate fit becomes a seal as the hollow of thehook 2 a presses into the layer of viscoelastic foam 11 b that surroundsthe aperture 5 on three sides. The nozzle seal 11 b prevents leaking ofthe liquid hair color around the back and sides of the hook 2 a while inthe closed position.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, notice one foot 4 a fixed to the front ofthe applicator nozzle 11 a and one foot 4 g fixed to the back of theapplicator nozzle 11 a with the hook 2 a positioned between. Acomfortable contact of the pivoting hook 2 a with the scalp 1 c isassured as the hook 2 a is confined to travel a precise pivotal pathbetween the front foot 4 a and rear foot 4 g, and, as the hook point 3 ais confined to pivot generally flush with the front foot contact point 4b and rear foot contact point 4 h. This mechanical arrangement,therefore, utilizes the front foot contact point 4 b and rear footcontact point 4 h as means to allow the hook 2 a to entrain a section ofhair 1 b while preventing the hook point 3 a from making forcefulcontact with the scalp.

FIGS. 4A-4D bottom views depict another mechanical relationship betweenthe hook 2 a, front foot 4 a and rear foot 4 g, namely, how the hook 2a, front foot 4 a, and rear foot 4 g function to separate the entrainedsection of hair 1 b from the surrounding hair at the scalp as well as tocenter the entrained section of hair 1 b within the hollow of the hook 2a and maintain the centered position of the section of hair 1 b throughthe color coating process. This separation and centering of theentrained section of hair 1 b occurs as the front contact surface 2 eand rear contact surface 2 f of the hook 2 a slide against the fronthook contact surface 4 e of the front foot 4 a and rear hook contactsurface 4 j of the rear foot 4 g, as per a scissor action, while movingfrom the open to closed position.

FIG. 4A depicts the hook 2 a and applicator nozzle Ha in the openposition. FIG. 4B depicts same hooking applicator 1 a as the hook 2 ahas pivoted toward the closed position enough to have entrained asection of hair 4 b. FIG. 4C illustrates the hooking applicator 1 a asthe hook 2 a has pivoted with the entrained section of hair 1 b to apoint where the hook 2 a has not quite reached the closed position andthe entrained section of hair 1 b has been pulled in by the hook 2 aclose enough to the applicator nozzle 11 a for the entrained section 1 bto have encountered the front foot scissors edge 4 f and the rear footscissors edge 4 k. FIG. 4D depicts the hooking applicator 1 a in theclosed position with the section of hair 1 b centered over the aperture5 of the applicator nozzle 11 a as well as being centered over the colorchannel 2 b and hair channel 2 c of the hook 2 a. Also, the entrainedsection of hair is occupying the front foot channel 4 c and rear footchannel 4 i.

FIG. 1C depicts a front view of the front foot 4 a and points to thepreferred location of the front scissors edge 41 of the foot front 4 a.As stated above, this scissors edge 4 f of the front foot 4 a pushes anentrained section of hair functionally into the closed position. FIG. 1Ddepicts this front scissors edge 4 f located closer to the center of thefront foot 4 a than the preferred location depicted in FIG. 1C.Relocating this front scissors edge 4 f relative to the center of thefront foot 4 a, along with relocating the aperture 5, color channel 2 band hair channel 2 c, so that the said features intersect functionallywith the top of the front scissors edge 4 f in the closed position,changes the amount of hair that is entrained by the individual hookingapplicator 1 a as well as changing the closeness to the scalp of theinitial application of color onto the entrained section of hair.Furthermore, if the rotation of the hook 2 a is not on a particulardegree of upswing relative to the bottom of the front scissor edge 4 f,a portion of the entrained section of hair will be brought against thebottom of the corner of the front foot 4 a rather than the frontscissors edge 4 f causing strands of hair to become lodged between thehook 2 a and front foot 4 a. This will cause the entrained section ofhair to become snagged. This front scissors edge 41 may occupy variouspositions relative to the center of the front foot 4 a and may even besomewhat angled rather than the perpendicular orientation it occupiespresently in relation to the bottom of the gear box 6. In addition tothis, the length of the front foot 4 a may be adjusted in order tochange the amount of hair that is entrained. (Note: All of the precedingdescription of FIGS. 1C and 1D also applies to the rear foot which isnot visible in said figures. Simply replace the term ‘front’ with theterm rear and this will provide the same description of the rear foot.)

FIG. 3D is another variation of the feet arrangement featuring a footbridge 4 d. This foot bridge 4 d connects the front foot 4 a and rearfoot 4 g along the bottom creating one wide foot that surrounds the tipof the hook 3 a in the closed position. This foot bridge 4 d creates afurther scissor action along the bottom of the hook 2 a. Furthermore,the hook point 3 a may be but not necessarily closed on five sidescreating a box that is open only to the hook point 3 a as it pivotstoward and establishes the closed position. This foot bridge 4 dvariation is optional.

View FIG. 3A-3C during the following description of the process by whichthe entrained section of hair becomes coated with liquid hair color.FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of the hooking applicator 1 ashowing the hook 2 a and nozzle 11 a in the open position with the colorchannel 2 b and hair channel 2 c forming one continuous indentationapproximately centered front to back across the hollow 2 d of the hook 2a. FIG. 3B is a front perspective view of the hooking applicator 1 ashowing the hook 2 a and nozzle 11 a in the closed position over asection of hair 1 b with the color channel 2 b and hair channel 2 cpositioned approximately centered over the nozzle aperture 5. FIG. 3C isa sectional front perspective view of the hooking applicator 1 a. Saidfigure shows that the portion of the hollow 2 d of the hook 2 a thatcomes into contact with the applicator nozzle 11 a, while in the closedposition, has flattened the nozzle seal 11 b that is directly under saidportion of the hook 2 a; however, the color channel 2 b remains openand, the area of the nozzle seal 11 b within the hair channel 2 c,remains raised and fills the hair channel 2 c. This is because thenozzle seal 11 b is at least as thick as the hair channel 2 c is deep.As seen in FIG. 3B, with a section of hair 1 b entrained in the closedpositon, the entrained section 1 b is occupying the color channel 2 b aswell as the hair channel 2 c; furthermore, said hair channel 2 c is alsooccupied by a portion of the nozzle seal 11 b as said portion remainsexpanded in the hair channel against the entrained section of hair. Theportion of the nozzle seal 11 b that fills the hair channel 2 c doesapply a slight pressure to the section of hair 1 b entrained therein;however, this pressure is not enough to restrict movement of theentrained section 1 b through the closed position; the pressure is onlyenough to prevent the liquid color flowing into the color channel 2 bfrom leaking to the outside of the closed position through the hairchannel 2 c. Also, the pressure exerted onto the section of hair 1 blocated within the hair channel 2 c is such that a desirable amount oftension is maintained on the entrained section 1 b. This tension allowsthe device to maintain comfortable control over the entrained sections 1b throughout the process.

While viewing FIG. 3B, consider a section of hair 1 b is entrained inthe closed position and liquid hair color is exiting the aperture 5, theliquid fills the color channel 2 b, thereby surrounding the portion ofthe entrained section 1 b that is occupying the color channel 2 b. Asthe liquid color continues to exit the aperture 5, the liquid isprevented by the nozzle seal 11 b from expanding out from the sides ofthe hook 2 a as well as from the back of the hook 2 a through the hairchannel 2 c. This mechanical arrangement causes the entrained section ofhair 1 b to become coated with liquid hair color 1 d as well as allowsthe coated entrained section 1 d to remain coated as the coated sectionof hair 1 d passes through and exits the color channel 2 b.

FIG. 3A depicts a front foot channel 4 c formed into the side of thefront foot 4 a and rear foot channel 4 i formed into the side of therear foot 4 g. The purpose of each of these indentations is to allowclearance for the entrained section 1 b of hair to slide through theclosed position without getting pinched. As seen in FIG. 3B, the frontfoot channel 4 c has the added benefit of allowing the color coatedentrained section 1 d to pass from the closed position without the colorbeing scraped away from the color coated section of hair 1 d.

Each of FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective front views of the hookingapplicator in the open and closed positions respectively depictinganother color channeling variation featuring a hook 2 a without a colorchannel or hair channel. This variation includes an indentation ornozzle color channel 11 d that is located around the aperture 5 of theapplicator nozzle 11 a. This nozzle color channel 11 d is open to thefront of the closed position as well as the front foot channel 4 c andwill serve to direct the flow of the color coated entrained section ofhair 1 d much the same way as a hook color channel 2 b. This variationalso includes a nozzle hair channel 11 e located on the applicatornozzle 11 a behind the nozzle color channel 11 d. The nozzle hairchannel 11 e opens to the rear foot channel 4 i in the closed positionand is covered by the nozzle seal 11 b in order to allow the hair tomove through the closed position without the risk of color back flowthough the nozzle hair channel 11 e. The nozzle color channel 11 d,however, is open to the front of the closed position in order to allowthe liquid hair color to flow from it.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are front perspective views of the hookingapplicator 1 a depicting another color channeling variation combiningboth a color channel 2 b located on the hook 2 a as well as a nozzlecolor channel 11 d located around the aperture 5 of the nozzle, deeperfront foot channel 4 c and nozzle hair channel 11 e. This variation willprovide the most color deposit along the entrained section of hair.

Considering all of the variations of channeling described above, theshape and dimension of the hook channel 2 b and nozzle channel 11 d aswell as the size and shape of the aperture 5 will vary according to theviscosity of the liquid hair color as well as the desired degree ofcontrol of color flow as well as the size of color bead deposited ontothe entrained section of hair 1 b.

FIGS. 7A and 7B describes a small slender appendage or hook tooth 3 bextending out from the color channel 2 b of the hook 2 a. As seen inFIG. 7B, the tooth 3 b extends away from the hollow of the hook 2 atoward the radial center of the hook 2 a in such a way that when thehook 2 a is in the closed position over the applicator nozzle 11 a, thetooth 3 b enters into the aperture 5 of the nozzle 11 a. Since thethickness of the tooth 3 b is smaller than the dimensions of theaperture 5, the tooth 3 b does not obstruct the flow of color from theaperture 5. In the instance where a pressurized color container issupplying an applicator nozzle 11 a, a rubber or silicone (or otherflexible chemically resistant material) tube gasket 11 c may be placedsnuggly against the inside wall of the applicator nozzle 11 a. Thisgasket 11 c covers the nozzle 11 a aperture 5 and prevents pressurizedas well as non-pressurized color from flowing out.

Viewing FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B in series shows the hook 2 a and the tooth 3b pivoting from the open to the closed position. As the hook 2 a doesthis, the tooth 3 b will push against the portion of the gasket 11 clocated in the nozzle aperture 5. As the tooth 3 b pushes against thegasket 11 c, pressurized color is released. As the hook 2 a pivots backtoward the open position, the tooth 3 b will exit the aperture 5 and thecylindrical gasket 11 c will naturally flex back to the closed positionover the aperture 5 inside the nozzle 11 a again blocking the flow ofcolor from the aperture 5. In this manner, pressurized color may becontrolled to flow onto entrained sections of hair only when the hook 2a brings the entrained sections to the closed position over the nozzle11 a.

As depicted in FIG. 1A, the applicator nozzle 11 a features an aperture5 as an exit for liquid hair color and a hose 12 functions as a supplyline between the color container hoses and the nozzle 11 a. The nozzlehose 12 extends upward a short distance, perpendicular to the nozzle 11a then turns at a right angle, extending back ending in a nozzle hosecoupling 13 a.

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a preferred embodiment of the device involve arack and pinion gear arrangement as mechanical means to pivot the hook 2a. The hook 2 a is fixed to the distal front of an axial 9 and the rearportion of the axial 9 pivots within a gear box 6. A pinion gear 8 isfixed to the portion of the axial 9 contained within the gear box 6. Arack gear 7 a pivots the pinion gear 8 within the gear box 6 fromunderneath.

As depicted in FIG. 8, the flexible head 14 a consists of a straight rowof hooking applicators 1 a connected one to another along the bottoms ofthe gear boxes 6 by roller couplings 14 b.

FIG. 8 also depicts two head mounts 15 attached to the front of the tophandle section 20 b. Each end of the head 14 a is fixed to the distalfront of each head mount 15 forming a head 14 a attached to a handle 20a.

FIGS. 9A and 9B depict the row of hooking applicators 1 a sharing asingle thin flexible rack gear 7 a that extends along the inside bottomof each gear box 6 with the series of pinion gears 8 seated teeth toteeth into the rack gear 7 a. Back and forth movement of the rack gear 7a causes the pinion gears 8 and therefore the axles 9 and hooks 2 a topivot in unison.

As seen in FIG. 9A, the head 14 a is pressed lightly against a partingof hair 1 c and the head 14 a flexes into the curve of the scalp. Thehead 14 a is placed against the scalp in the upright position therebyallowing each of the front foot contact points 4 b and rear foot contactpoints 4 h (not visible in FIG. 9) to make functional contact withparting of hair 1 c.

FIG. 9A depicts the device relying on a flat spring 14 c to allow thehead 14 a to flex. The flat spring 14 c expands as the head 14 a flexesinto the curve of the scalp.

The roller coupling 14 d, shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 10A, is anothermechanical feature to aid in the flexing ability of the head 14 a. Aroller coupling 14 d is fixed to both ends of the head 14 a; it is asection of tube that fits telescopically over the end of each head mount15.

FIG. 10A depicts a lip 14 e formed into each of the head mounts 15 at alocation that is as far back from the distal end of the head mount 15 asthe head 14 a is wide. A cap 14 f is located at the tip of each headmount 15. Each lip 14 e and cap 14 f prevents the roller couplings 14 dfrom sliding back and forth along the ends of the head mounts 15. Theinside diameter of the roller couplings 14 d are slightly larger thanthe outside diameter of the cylindrical ends of the head mounts, 15 sothat the roller couplings 14 d can freely roll. As seen in FIG. 9A, eachend of the head 14 a is fixed to each of the roller couplings 14 d and,as the head 14 a flexes into the curve of the parting of hair 1 c, thetwo hooking applicators 1 a that are fixed to the roller couplings 14 dare able to freely pivot over the ends of the head mounts 15. Thispivoting naturally occurs when the head 14 a flexes against the curve ofthe scalp and creates a smoother and more complete flexing action.

The rack slide mount 17, as viewed in FIG. 8, is a section of tube thatis fixed to the front edge of the top handle section 20 b. As viewed inFIG. 9B, one side of an upside down shaped rod or rack slide 16 a ispositioned snuggly sliding within the tube of the rack slide mount 17.The other side of the rack slide mount 17 extends straight down thenbends out along the side of the head at a slight angle for a short span.The rack slide 16 a then bends forward and finally tapers down formingthe rack gear pin 16 b. The rack gear pin 16 b extends directly into asmall hole or rack gear seat 7 b located at the distal end of the rackgear 7 a forming a snap-in fit between the rack gear pin 16 b and therack gear seat 7 b.

In order to impart a more complete understanding of the rack slideaction, it is necessary to explain in more detail the action of thehandle. As seen in FIG. 10A, the handle 20 a is composed of a top handlesection 20 b, and a bottom handle section 20 c connected to one anotherat the rear of each by a handle hinge 21 a. This salad tong typeconfiguration is held in the open resting position by the handle hingespring 21 b against the handle stop 21 c. The handle stop 21 c is aprotrusion located on the inside of the bottom handle section 20 c ofthe handle hinge 21 a. As the bottom hinge section 20 c pivots backtoward the open position, the bottom hinge section 20 c is preventedfrom opening any further as the handle stop 21 c comes into contact withthe rear bottom edge of the top handle section 20 b.

FIG. 10A-10D are side views of the hand of an operator squeezing thehandle 20 a of the device from the open position FIG. 10A to the closedposition FIG. 10D with FIGS. 10B and 10C representing middle handlepositions. With the device depicted in FIGS. 10A-10D shown appropriatelypositioned against a parting of hair 1 c, one will notice as one viewsthese illustrations in sequence that the top handle section 20 b (alongwith the attached head mounts 15 and head 14 a) remains stationaryagainst a parting of hair 1 c while the bottom handle section 20 c isthe pivotal section. As such, one will notice, while again viewing thesefigures in sequence, the visible actuator tine 18 (which is attached tothe bottom handle section 20 c) sliding from the bottom to the top ofthe head mount 15 and rack slide 16 a.

Having established a more complete understanding of the role of thehandle as it pertains to the sliding action of the actuator tinesagainst the head mount and rack slide, one may now refer to FIG. 8. Therack slide actuator tines 18 consist of two rods extending forward fromthe front edge of the bottom handle section 20 c. The tines 18 arepositioned between the bottoms of the head mounts 15. The distancebetween the tine ends 18 is such that the tine 18 on the left is incontact with the left head mount 15 and the tine on the right 18 is incontact with the right head mount 15 as well as the rack slide 16 a.(Refer to FIGS. 9A and 9B for the remainder of the paragraph.) With theactuator tines 18 in this position, squeezing the handle 20 a will causethe tine 18 on the left to slide upward against the inside of the lefthead mount 15, and the tine 18 on the right to simultaneously slideupward against the right head mount as well as the inside of the rackslide 16 a. As the bottom of the rack slide 16 a is angled outward (seebold line 16 c), the upward sliding motion of the right tine 18 againstthe angled section of the rack slide 16 c causes the rack slide 16 a tomove outward stabilized by the rack slide mount 17 and head mounts 15(see FIG. 10B). As the bottom end of the rack slide 16 a is attached tothe rack gear 7 a by the rack gear pin 16 b, the outward sliding motionof the rack slide 16 a causes the rack gear 7 a to move to the side. Therack gear 7 a sliding to the left in this manner causes the hooks 2 a topivot toward the closed position over the applicator nozzles 11 a. Inthis manner, when the right actuator tine 18 is in contact with thebottom of the rack slide angle 16 c, the hooks 2 a are in the openposition (see FIG. 9A). Squeezing the handle until the right tine 18 isat the top of the rack slide angle 16 c causes the hooks 2 a to move tothe closed position (see FIG. 9B). Releasing the handle will cause therack slide 16 a to return to the inward most resting position againstthe tension of the rack slide spring 19. The action caused by acontinued squeeze of the handle 20 a bringing the actuator tines 18 pastthe top of the rack slide angle 16 c will be described later in thisdisclosure.

The bottom handle section 20 c (see FIG. 8) employing only a single tine18 on the right side against the rack slide 16 a may also be employed asan alternative embodiment.

As described in the summary, the present invention features a singlesqueeze mechanism capable of, in series, entraining the hair anddispensing the liquid hair color onto entrained sections of hair. Asdescribed above, engagement of the hooks occurs during the firstincrement of the squeeze action applied to the handle. The secondincrement of squeeze action pivots the lever 24 a so that it pushes upon the level pallet 22. (See FIG. 8 for a detailed perspective view ofthe level pallet 22 and lever 24 a). As both the level pallet 22 andlever 24 a are hinged to the top of the bottom handle section 20 c, theupward motion of the bottom handle section 20 c toward the top handle 20b section, combined with the mechanical action of the level pallet 22and lever 24 a facilitates the movement of the liquid hair color out ofthe color container 51 a and through the channels that direct the coloronto the entrained sections of hair

The following is a detailed description of the second in seriesmechanical action (dispensing of the hair color) and how this actioncoordinates with the first action (entraining of hair sections) as thedevice is in use. The mechanical action will be described whilereferring to FIGS. 10A-10B. (Note: FIGS. 10A-10B depict side views ofthe preferred embodiment of the device depicted in FIG. 8.)

As seen in FIG. 10A, an operator functionally holds the device by thehandle 20 a as the device is in the resting position and places the head14 a of the device appropriately against a parting of hair 1 c.

As seen in FIG. 10B, the operator squeezes the handle 20 a causing thebottom handle section 20 c to lift toward the top handle section 20 b.Consequently, the tine 18 that is against the rack slide 16 a movesupward to the top most point of the rack slide angle 16 c (this point onthe rack slide 16 a appears as a bold square). This causes the hooks 2 ato be in the closed position over the applicator nozzles 11 a withentrained stalks of hair 1 b between. The lifting action of the bottomhandle section 20 c toward the top handle section 20 b also causes thebutton contact point 24 c of the lever 24 a to contact the lever button24 d. This contact causes the lever 24 a to pivot on the lever hinge 24e, thereby, pushing the level pallet contact point 24 b of the lever 24a against the bottom of the level pallet 22. This, in turn, causes thelevel pallet 22 to lift toward the bottom of the color container 51 a.

FIG. 10C depicts the handle 20 a having been squeezed to the point wherethe actuator tine 18 begins to slide along the section of the rack slide16 a that is parallel to the head mount 15. This allows the hooks 2 a toremain in the closed position while the level pallet 22 comes intocontact with and pushes up on the bottom of the color container 51 a.The pressure of the level pallet 22 on the color container 51 a causesthe liquid color to begin to move from the color container 51 a throughthe color container neck 52 b and into the manifold intake 53 c.Continuing through the manifold 53 a, the liquid color flows through themanifold hoses 53 b, into the nozzle hoses 12 and nozzles 11 a andthrough the color aperture 5 onto the entrained section of hair 1 b.

The operator will continue to apply light squeeze pressure to the handle20 a while watching for a small bead of color 1 e to simultaneously format the front of each hook (see FIG. 9C). When she sees these color beads1 e form she will know that the hair color has exited each nozzle 11 aaperture 5 and has surrounded the portion of each entrained section 1 bthat is within the closed position. The moment she sees the beads ofcolor 1 e form, she will maintain the same pressure while slowly pullingthe device away from the parting of hair 1 c. As depicted in FIG. 9D,she pulls the device away from the parting 1 c, the constant lightpressure on the handle will evenly surround the entrained sections 1 bwith hair color 1 d as the entrained sections 1 d pass through theclosed position.

Once the operator has sufficiently coated the entrained sections ofhair, she will generally proceed one of two ways: she can releasepressure on the handle allowing the device to return to the restingposition depicted in FIG. 10A; this approach allows the coated sectionsto drop back into the hair. The other option is to release the handle 20a only to the point where hair color stops dispensing while maintainingthe entrained sections in the closed position. This occurs as the handle20 a is released enough for the level pallet 22 to release from thebottom of the color container 51 a but not enough for the actuator tine18 to slide down beyond the top of the rack slide angle 16 c; thismechanical position is depicted in FIG. 10B (The top of the rack slideangle is depicted as a solid black square located on the rack slide).(The following description of barrier material application does notinclude correspondent drawings.) At this point, the entrained and coatedsections are in a taut and stationary position, extending between thehead of the recipient and the head of the device. The operator, whilemaintaining the entrained sections in this position, and having a freehand, may pick up a folded section of barrier sheet and place it overthe entrained sections or perhaps place a section of cotton under thesection close to the scalp; any number of barrier material types andtechniques known by a person skilled in the art may be applied at thistime followed by a controlled release of the barrier treated sectioninto the rest of the hair. Finally, the operator may trace the tip ofthe parting stem 27 along the scalp, exposing the next parting of hairto be serviced and thereby beginning a new pass of the device along therecipient's hair (see FIG. 10A for the parting stem 27). A pass of thedevice through a recipient's hair, such as the entire pass describedabove, may be repeated the number of times deemed appropriate by theoperator or until the point at which the upward motion of the levelpallet 22 onto the color container 51 a is interrupted by becomingflatly parallel and directly adjacent to the top of the color containerhousing 26, thereby flattening and emptying the color container 51 a(see FIG. 10D). The color container 51 a may then be refilled orreplaced.

The following is a description of two types of disposable colorcontainers. These color containers are pre-filled (preferably by amanufacturer), loaded into the device and are discarded when empty.

Pre-packaged color containers that dispense two part oxidative color orlightener must include a means by which the two reactive componentsremain separate inside the container until just prior to use. FIG. 11Adepicts an internal container 51 f within an external container 52 e,with each container accommodating one of the two hair color components.The internal container 51 f is filled to capacity so that it is firm.The external container 52 e is filled but not firm. In addition to thedifference in firmness between the two containers, the internalcontainer 51 f is intentionally manufactured with a structurally weakerfront seam and/or weaker plastic film than the external container 52 e.The difference in firmness in addition to the weak film allows theoperator to moderately squeeze this dual container causing the internalcontainer 51 f to rupture. This rupture releases the color componentwithin, into the other color component contained within the externalcontainer 52 e. The operator will briefly kneed the dual containerthereby fully mixing the two color components. Also, the rear bottomseam 51 i of the external container 52 e and the rear seam 51 i of theinternal container 51 f are sealed together so that the internalcontainer 51 f does not float around freely inside the externalcontainer 52 e giving the internal container 51 f the opportunity tomove forward and block the manifold port Sib of the external colorcontainer 52 e from the inside. This dual container 52 e, 51 f may bediscarded once it is empty and replaced by a pre-filled dual container52 e, 51 f. For convenience, the manifold port 51 b may feature apuncture seal 51 g adhered to the front. In order to accompany thepuncture seal 51 g, a puncture spike 53 h will be affixed to themanifold intake 53 c. This puncture feature allows the operator to mixthe components without mess, opening the manifold port 51 b only at thepoint where it engages the manifold intake 53 c.

FIG. 11B depicts another preferred dual color container embodiment 52 a;the purpose of which is to keep the two components of the liquid haircolor separate until the two components exit the color container 52 a.The two (2) components of the liquid hair color are of equal texture andviscosity and are kept separate within the dual color container 52 a bya barrier 52 b. The barrier 52 b essentially forms two separate colorcontainers of equal volume arranged flatly against one another. Eachside of the divided color container 52 a opens to each side of the dualmanifold port 52 c.

When pressure is applied to this dual color container 52 a, both haircolor components enter each side of the dual manifold port 52 c. The twocomponents then enter the manifold intake 53 c where they pass through asection of helical static mixer 52 d and begin to mix. The partiallymixed color then enters the inner tube 53 g of the manifold 53 a. Thecolor is further mixed as it passes through the inner manifold tube 53 gas it also contains a section of static mixer 52 d. Fully mixed colornow exits both ends of the inner manifold tube 53 g and enters the mainouter manifold tube 53 f, then the nozzle hoses 53 b and finally exitsthe nozzle aperture 5. The operator will proceed with the color serviceas described previously.

The following describes the process of reloading the device with coloras well as cleaning the various color channels of the device.

A color container featuring a refill port 51 d (as seen in FIG. 8) willnot need to be disassembled and can be refilled using a syringe orbaster type mixing container with a hollow dispensing stem. The operatormixes the two components of the hair color in the reservoir of themixing container, secures the lid over the reservoir and injects themixed color into the color container 51 a through the refill port 51 d.Having completed this stage of refilling, the operator secures the lid51 e onto the refill port 51 d.

Pre-packaged color containers will need to be removed from the devicewhen empty and replaced with one that is full. The following examplewill be described with a single chamber color container 51 a (see FIG.8), although a dual chamber color container 52 a could be used for theexplanation as well. In order to do this, the operator will release theback of the color container 51 a from the back of the color containerhousing 26 a by disengaging the fastening tabs 51 h from the fasteningpins 26 c (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 10A). She will then disengage themanifold mounting bracket 53 e from the rack slide mount 17, remove themanifold intake 53 c from the manifold port 51 b of the color container51 a (see FIG. 8), bend the manifold 53 a forward which will disengagethe manifold intake 53 c from the manifold port 51 b of the colorcontainer 51 a. She will then disengage the manifold port 51 b of thecolor container 51 a from the manifold port bracket 26 b (see FIGS. 9Aand 10A) She will then be able to pull the empty color container 51 aout from the color container housing 26 a. With the manifold 53 a stillbent forward on the flexibility of the manifold hoses 53 b, therebyexposing the frontal opening to the color container housing 26 a, shewill then slide a full and sealed color container 51 a into the openinguntil the full length of the color container 51 a occupies the fulllength of the color container housing 26 a. Then she will push themanifold port 51 b of the color container 51 a onto the manifold portbracket 26 b in order to secure this port 2611 as well as the front ofthe color container 51 a onto the front of the color container housing26 a. Next she will push the fastening tabs 51 h onto the tab pins 26 cthereby securing the back of the color container 51 a to the back of thecolor container housing 26 a. Finally, she will urge the manifold intake53 c onto the manifold port 51 b and snap the manifold mounting bracket53 e onto the rack slide mount 17.

Having refilled the color container Ma or, having exchanging an emptysingle color container 51 a or dual color container 52 a with a fullone, the operator will now prime the device by squeezing the handle 20 auntil the color exits all of the nozzle 11 a apertures 5 (See FIGS.10A-10B and 9C). The first squeeze with a new color container 51 a, maycause some color to exit some apertures 5 before others; therefore, theoperator will perform this operation over a cleanable surface, papertowel, sink, etc. as the hair color may drip, out of some of the nozzles11 a until color is exiting all nozzles 11 a. The operator will simplywipe the excess color from the nozzles 11 a with a paper or cloth toweland proceed with the color service.

In order to minimize the overall number of drawings in this disclosure,the following description of the cleaning procedure does not havesupporting illustrations. Refer to FIG. 8 for an approximation.

In order for the operator to clean the refillable color container 51 aand manifold 53 a, she will disengage the color container 51 a asdescribed above, cap 51 e the refill port 51 d, inject water or cleaningfluid into the color container 51 a through the manifold port 51 b andplace a finger over the manifold port 51 b. Then she shakes and kneadsthe color container 51 a and pours the liquid out of the refill port 51d and/or manifold port 51 b. She will repeat this step until thecontainer 51 a is clean. In order to clean the manifold 53 a and nozzles11 a she simply engages the color container 51 a into the devicefollowing the reload procedure described earlier, and then fills thecontainer 51 a through the refill port 51 d and places the cap 51 e overthe port 51 d and squeezes the handle 20 a. Water will jet out of thenozzle 11 a apertures 5 thereby cleaning the nozzles 11 a and nozzlehoses 12 as well as all of the hoses and channels of the manifold 53 a.She may also insert a slender cleaning implement into the various hoses,ports and nozzles during the cleaning procedure.

Although an operator may rely on disposable color containers 51 a forregular use, it is advisable for the operator to have a refillablecontainer 51 a available to fill with water or cleaning fluid in orderto utilize the cleaning method just described.

Other types of color containers may be employed in the device such as acaulk gun type or syringe type arrangement. Also the varied types ofcontainers may be compressed manually, compressed using an electricmotor or the color may be dispensed by means of a color container thatis under pressure.

The color containers 51 a, 52 a (see FIGS. 8, 11A and 11B) arepreferably formed from polyethylene, polypropylene or other type ofliquid proof and chemical resistant flexible and easily sealable film.The main tube of the manifold 53 f (along with the hose couplings 53 dthat are molded into it) is preferably molded from one of a variety ofliquid chemical resistant plastic material while the hoses 53 b may beformed from one of several types of liquid chemical resistant rubber orsilicone tubing. The hoses 53 b may be glued or clamped to the manifoldcouplings 53 d; or, all of the couplings 53 d may be barbed allowing thehoses 53 b to be removed from the coupling 53 d yet, attach firmly whenin use. The sections of static tube mixer 52 d will also preferably beof the chemically resistant plastic variety and may be a separate partor formed directly into the inside geometry of the manifold 53 a.Separate static tube mixers 52 d may be removable through a threaded caplocated on one or both ends of the main manifold tube 53 f Removablestatic tube mixers 52 d and/or threaded access caps located on the endsof the main manifold tube 53 f are features that make the manifold 53 aeasier to clean. Also, the sections of static tube mixer 52 d may alsobe located within the manifold hoses 52 b. Alternatively, the entiregeometry of the non - mixing manifold 53 a, including the hoses 53 b andmanifold intake 53 c may be molded as one part from a liquid chemicalresistant rubber or silicone.

When considering the functionality of the manifold 53 a, notice theL-shaped manifold hose 53 b. This L-shape provides a corner that acts asa weak leverage point and allows the pressurized liquid filled hose 53 bto bend easily as the head 14 a of the device conforms to the curve ofthe scalp.

Another unique feature of the device is a mechanical arrangement thatgives the operator the ability to stop the flow of color to individualapplicator nozzles while allowing other applicator nozzles to flow. Themechanism effectively pinches a hose closed with the push of a lever.

As seen in FIG. 12A-12C, each end of the rigid plastic manifold tube 53f is detachably affixed against the top of each of the head mounts 15 bya manifold mounting bracket 53 i; one additional manifold mountingbracket 53 e extends from the top center of the main manifold tube 53 fand attaches to the rack slide mount 17. Fixed along the length of themanifold tube 53 f are several short lengths of rigid tube that functionas couplings 53 d for the lengths of hose 53 b that extend away from themanifold tube 53 f. Fixed to the front of the manifold tube 53 f areclamp lever mounting brackets 54 e; one above each of the hose couplings53 d. Attached pivotal to each of the lever mounting brackets 54 e is aclamp lever 54 a. The top of the clamp lever 54 a extends back acrossthe top front of the handle a short distance and at a slight angle whilein the resting position. This top section of the clamp lever 54 a isflat and serves as a thumb contact 54 b. The bottom section of the clamplever 54 a extends straight down to a point just below the bottom of thehose couplings 53 d. At this point the clamp lever 54 a makes a sharpangle back to a point where it has extended slightly behind the bottomof the hose coupling 53 d. Now this bottom end of the clamp lever 54 amakes a final sharp turn and crosses the back of the hose slightly belowthe hose coupling 53 d forming the clamp lever hose contact 54 c. Thisbeing the shape of the clamp lever 54 a, when an operator places a thumbonto the thumb contact 54 b and presses down, the bottom of the clamplever hose contact 54 c moves forward against the hose 53 b just belowthe point where the hose 53 b attaches to the coupling 53 d. As theoperator continues to press on the thumb contact 54 b, the clamp leverhose contact 54 c pinches the hose 53 b forward against the pinch plate54 f thereby stopping the flow of color through that hose 53 b (seeFIGS. 12B and 12C side views depicting the hose clamping mechanism inthe disengaged and engaged positions respectively). Once the operatorpresses the thumb contact 54 b down to the farthest point, twointerlocking hooks 54 d, one on the bottom of the thumb contact 54 b andone on the front top of the head mount 15, will lock together therebyholding the clamp lever 54 a in the hose pinching position. The operatorsimply needs to move the thumb contact slightly to the side and theclamp lever lock 54 d disengages restoring color flow to the tube 53 b.

FIGS. 12A-12C depict a necessary variation of the actuator tines. Sinceit is chosen, although not necessary, to have all of the parts of thepresent hose clamping mechanism built onto and around the manifold insuch a manner that the manifold in the present embodiment sits lower onthe head mounts than in similar embodiments described; including theactuator tines, as they have previously been arranged, into the presentembodiment will cause the actuator tines to run into the manifold beforethey have a chance to slide the functionally necessary distance up thelength of the head mounts and rack slide. Therefore, depicted here aretelescopic actuator tines. As viewed in FIG. 12A, the slide tine on theother side of the device, although not visible, will have all of thefeatures of the visible slide actuator tine described in the following:

The rear end of the slide actuator tine 93 is within in a slide tineseat 94. The front end of the slide actuator tine 93 has, fixed andextending away perpendicular to the outside, a slide actuator tinechannel pin 96. This channel pin 96 is seated within a channel 95 formedinto the head mount 15; said channel 95 extends the entire length ofsaid head mount 15 and is open to the inside.

The bottom handle section 20 c, as well as the slide tine seat 94 thatis fixed to it, as seen in FIG. 12B, are farther away than said parts ofFIG. 12C. As the front of the bottom handle section 20 c moves closer tothe top handle section 20 b, the front of the bottom handle section 20 calso moves closer to the head mounts 15. This is why fixed actuatortines eventually run into the main manifold tube. The sliding actuatortine 93 overcomes this problem. FIG. 12B shows the front of the slidetine 93, with the fixed channel pin 96 seated inside the tine channel95, (the channel pin 96 is seen as a bold dot) fully extended from thetine seat 94. FIG. 12C shows that, as the bottom handle section 20 cmoves up and gets closer to the head mounts 15, the tine channel pin 96follows the tine channel 95 and causes the tine seat 94 to move forwardover the slide tine 93. This arrangement allows the front of the tine 93to track the length of the head mount 15 thereby remaining in the sameposition relative to it.

This novel actuator tine arrangement may be included in any embodimentof the device that requires actuator tines.

Another multi-hooking mechanism device embodiment of the device allowsthe hooking mechanisms to be positioned closer together than themulti-hooking mechanism device embodiment described previously. Thepreviously described embodiment discloses a row of hooking applicatorsthat are positioned side by side in such a way that the pivoting motionof the hooks are parallel to the line represented by the row of hookingapplicators. This means that the more open the hook is relative to theapplicator nozzle, the farther away the individual hooking applicatorsmust be from one another. This is because the hook can only open so faras the point at which the hook makes contact with the applicator nozzleof the neighboring hooking applicator. The closer the neighboringhooking applicator, the less the hook can open. Another solution to thisproblem is to make the hooks smaller. This however may not be adesirable solution as this may cause the sections of hair that areentrained to be smaller than desired.

To overcome this shortcoming the present embodiment features a row ofhooking mechanisms that are at an angle to one another so that when eachhook is in the open position, each hook is positioned, in front of eachneighboring applicator nozzle; therefore, each hook does not bump intoeach neighboring applicator nozzle. One way to accomplish this isdepicted in FIG. 13. This figure depicts a top view of a row of hookingapplicators 1 a arranged side by side and angled as described above.This row of hooking applicators 1 a is arranged as a device head 14 a;yet, this head 14 a is depicted without the rest of the device. The restof the device is omitted as no further mechanical change is required ofthe device in order to accommodate the head 14 a arrangement describedbelow. FIG. 13 shows the tops of the gear box 6 cut away to expose arack gear 7 c with angled teeth 7 d seated against an angled pinion gear8 arrangement. In addition to depicting the angled pinion gear 8position and angled rack 7 a gear teeth 7 d, FIG. 13 also depicts thehooks 2 a in the open position in front of the adjacent nozzle 11 arather than against the nozzle 11 a as per the previously describeddevice head 14 a arrangement; therefore, this angled hooking applicator1 a embodiment solves the above stated shortcoming by allowing the hooks2 a to remain the same size while positioning the hooking applicators 1a closer together.

As an alternative to the previously described rack and pinion gearmeans, the following describes an embodiment of the device that utilizesa mechanical lever action as a means to pivot the hooks. As per thedevice head embodiment described immediately prior, this device headembodiment likewise features a series of hooking applicators that arearranged in an angled configuration so that the hook axles are at anangle relative to the parting of hair, thereby, allowing the hooks topivot in front of the adjacent nozzles. Although the present embodimentfeatures hooking applicators that are arranged in said manner, thislever action embodiment may also be arranged such that the pivotalrelation of the hook axles to the parting may also be approximatelyperpendicular as per the first device head configuration described inthis disclosure.

It is necessary to state the following at this time; the many parts ofthe device that are not mentioned in the following description will beassumed to function in like manner to the first embodiment of the devicedescribed in this disclosure. This, in order to avoid redundantdescriptions.

As seen in the two different angles of front view (FIGS. 14A and 14B)depicting the lever action hooking applicator 70, the present embodimentfeatures a hooking applicator 70 with a hook 2 a that pivots on a hookseat 68, said hook seat 68 being located at the top front of the hookingapplicator body 69. The hook 2 a features a lever 65 that extends awayfrom the back of the hook 2 a. The hook 2 a pivots as the hook slide 61,and therefore, the hook slide tip 63 slides forward, guided within thehook slide bracket 64. As the hook slide 61 moves forward, it slidesunderneath the hook lever 65 causing the lever 65 and therefore the hook2 a to pivot. The hook slide tip 63 will slide forward against the hooklever 65 until the hook 2 a closes over the nozzle 11 a. Conversely, asthe hook slide 61 backs away from the hook lever 65, the hook 2 a pivotsback to the open position, pulled as such by the tension of the hookspring 66.

Having described the mechanical action of the individual lever actionhooking applicator 70, the following is the series of mechanical actionsthat occur in order to simultaneously pivot all of said type of hooksalong a device head comprised of multiple lever action hookingmechanisms.

As viewed in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the handle 20 a of the device compressesand the actuator tines 18 begin to slide up against the angled bottomsection 55 b of each slide rack lever 55 a. (The angled bottoms of theslide rack levers 55 a are indicated in FIG. 15A by two bold blacklines.) As the actuator tines 18 continue to slide upward against therack slide lever angles 55 b, the slide rack levers 55 a begin to closeagainst the head mounts 15. As seen in FIG. 15B, the inward closure ofthe slide rack levers 55 a against the head mounts 15 cause the sliderack actuators 56 (which are fixed to the outside of the slide racklevers 55 a) to begin to enter the actuator channels 57; these channels57 are openings located on the slide rack mounts 58. Each slide rackmount 58 is fixed to each head mount 15. As the slide rack actuators 56continue to enter the actuator channels 57, the angled fronts of theslide rack actuators 56 cause the slide rack seats 59 and the slide rack60 a on which they are attached to move forward.

Sandwiched between the two slide rack plates 60 b of the slide rack 60 aare the top sections 62 of the hook slides 61. Continuing to view FIG.15B, the bottom sections of these hook slides 61 are fixed to and extendforward perpendicular to the top sections 62 forming the ‘L’ shaped hookslide 61. The hook slide tips 63 move back and forth in the hook slideseats 64. While the rack slide 60 a moves forward, the top sections ofthe ‘L’ shaped hook slides 62 and therefore the hook slide tips 63 alsobegin to move forward. As the hook slide tips 63 move forward within thehook slide brackets 64, the hook slide tips 63 push forward on the hooklevers 65 causing the hooks 2 a to move from the open to the closedposition. As the operator releases the handle 20 a the above mechanicalprocess reverses, the hooks 2 a return to the open position by thetension of the hook springs 66 and the rack slide 60 a returns to theresting position by the tension of the rack slide spring 67.

The next mechanical operation of this lever action hooking applicatorembodiment to be described is the curvature conformation feature (referto FIGS. 16A and 16B). As described above, the mechanical relationshipbetween the slide rack 60 a and top sections of the hook slides 62 areresponsible for the pivoting action of the hook 2 a. In addition to thisfunction, the top sections of the hook slides 62 and slide rack 60 aalso give the device the ability to conform to the curve of the head. Inorder for the head 14 a of the device to curve, the individual hookingmechanisms 70 must be able to move up and down a short distance relativeto the head mounts 15 as well as pivot to the side slightly. Thecontiguous way in which the top sections of the hook slides 62 arepositioned within the slide rack 60 a allow the top portions of the hookslides 62 to move up and down as well as pivot side to side radially.Now, when the head 14 a of the device is urged against the scalp, eachhooking applicator 70 moves from the resting position to the position itmust assume in order for it to cooperate with the other attached hookingmechanisms 70 in assuming the particular degree of curvature. As eachhooking applicator 70 moves, so does the top portion of each hook slide62 sandwiched within the slide rack 60 a. Now as the top portion of eachhook slide 62 changes position pivotally from side to side as well as upand down differently from the other top portions of the hook slides 62,they do not change position pivotally from front to back as the sliderack 60 a prevents this front to back pivoting. So, the slide rack 60 acan move forward and back, thereby causing the hooks 2 a to pivot fromthe open to closed position in unison even as the individual hookingmechanisms 70 pivot from side to side as well as move up and downdifferently from one another.

The final difference that will be described is a variation of positionand shape of the color manifold. Considering an embodiment of the devicewhich employs a rack and pinion gear arrangement to pivot the hooks,this gear driven embodiment eliminates the option of positioning themanifold hoses so that they extend from the manifold directly to theapplicator nozzles through the area where the rack and pinion gears arepositioned thereby eliminating the applicator hose. A mechanicalarrangement that allows the manifold hoses to run straight to the backof the applicator nozzle renders a device head with less plumbing andtherefore easier cleaning. In addition to a head with less plumbing, themanifold hoses can be shorter, and therefore, take up less space.

As seen in FIG. 17, the present lever action hook embodiment features alow manifold color container 52 f with a single hose 52 g (see also FIG.15A) that extends from the front, extending down to the low manifold 52h located level with and in back of the applicator nozzles 11 a. Also,the low manifold hoses 52 i extend forward away from the manifold 52 h ashort distance and connect to the applicator nozzles 11 a.

Hose connectors as well as any other pertinent part not described inthis low manifold color container 52 h arrangement may be adapted tohere from previously described color container arrangements.

Any embodiment of the hooking applicator may substitute liquid colorapplication onto entrained sections of hair for the application of haircolor chalk, mascara or any other type of hair color or hair treatmentthat can be formed into a solid or semi solid stick. As depicted in FIG.18, this embodiment of the hooking applicator 71 features a spring 73loaded tube 72 a that is positioned open end 72 b down between the frontfoot 4 a and rear foot 4 g of the hooking applicator 71 so that the openend 72 b of the tube 72 a will be centered within the hollow of the hook2 a in the closed position. This tube 72 a is positioned in such a waythat it may be fixed or detachable to the front foot 4 a and rear foot 4g. If it is detachable, the spring 73 loaded tube 72 a will have a tab74 b fixed to opposite sides of the tube's open end 72 b. The upperportion of the front foot 4 a and rear foot 4 g will have a tab seat 74a indented centered on the upper inside. Now, the tabs 74 b of thespring loaded tube 72 a will snap securely into and out of the tab seats74 a. A stick of hair treatment 75 is positioned between the compressedspring 73 and the bottom of the tube 72 b. The stick of hair treatment75 is held from springing out of the opened end of the tube 72 b by twoflexible, thin, intersecting cross members 76. These cross members 76are attached to the open end of the tube 72 b and intersect at or nearthe center of the opening of the tube 72 b. Alternatively, the crossmembers 76 may be substituted for one or more tiny flexible tabsattached to the edge of the tube open end 72 b in such a way that theyface toward the center of the tube open end 72 b and may or may notconnect as they may radiate only partially toward the center.

The viscosity or hardness of the stick of hair treatment 75 must be suchthat it is soft enough to wear away easily from the stick 75 onto thesection of hair that passes over the exposed tip 77 of said stick 75 yetthe stick of hair treatment 75 must be of the viscosity or hard enoughso that, as the stick of hair treatment 75 is being pushed against thecross members 73 by the spring, the stick 75 will not extrude throughthe cross members 76 while the device is not in use.

The hollow of the hook, features an indentation 2 b that is the diameterand shape of the section of the rounded tip 77 of the stick of hairtreatment 75 that is protruding from the open end 72 b of the tube 72 a.Now, as the hook 2 a closes over the tip 77 of the stick of hairtreatment 75, the tip of the stick 77 seats accurately into theindentation 2 b in the hollow if the hook. As the hook 2 a entrains asection of hair, the front foot 4 a and rear foot 4 g center theentrained section of hair over the indentation 2 b located in the hollowof the hook 2 a. Once the hook 2 a has closed over the tip 77 of thestick of hair treatment 75 with the entrained section of hair, the hairwill move through the closed position and will be coated with the hairtreatment. As the tip 77 of the stick of hair treatment 75 wears awaywith repeated runs of entrained sections of hair it will be continuallyfed to the tip 72 b of the tube 72 a against the tension of the spring73. The intersecting cross members 76 hold the tip 77 of the hairtreatment stick 75 in place at the end of the tube 72 b and allows thetip 77 of the stick hair treatment 75 to wear away evenly as the crossmembers 76 are able to move slightly during repeated runs preventingun-worn away ridges from forming on the tip 77 of the stick of hairtreatment 75 directly under the cross members 76.

The operator will feel the need to adapt the way she uses the device tobetter accommodate the various needs and requests of the patrons seekinghair color variegation services. The operator has the option to vary thedistance between the rows of color treated hair. This allows therecipient to choose within a range of more or less color treatedsections placed in the overall color service. In addition to this, therecipient may choose within a range of thick or fine individual colortreated sections. If the operator places the head of the device close toa parting of hair, the device will entrain and therefore treat finersections of hair. The farther away the operator places the head of thedevice from the parting of hair the thicker the entrained and treatedsection will be. While keeping the head of the device parallel to theparting, the operator may also slightly stagger the successiveplacements of treated rows from side to side. By adjusting the threetechnical variables described above, various aspects of the finalappearance of the color service may be changed by using a single devicehead. However, far more variation in the final appearance is possiblewith a device that has multiple device heads to choose from. Detachableand interchangeable device head embodiments will now be described andillustrated.

A wide range of varied head types may be embodied by creating a range ofhook/hooking applicator sizes and arranging them at various distancesfrom one another onto heads of different widths. A larger hook/hookingapplicator will entrain a wider/larger section of hair and, conversely,a smaller hook/hooking applicator will entrain a narrower/smallersection of hair. Also, a head with hooks that are spaced farther apartor closer together will render each entrained section along the row ofentrained sections farther apart or closer together from one another.Obviously then, a wider head will render a wider row of entrainedsections.

FIG. 19A depicts a device head 14 a with three larger hooks 2 a arrangedat a greater distance from one another comprising a head 14 a of perhapsmedium width. FIG. 19B depicts a device head 14 a with five smallerhooks 2 a arranged at a closer distance to one another forming a head 14a of perhaps medium width. FIG. 19C is also perhaps a medium widthdevice head 14 a with four larger hooks 2 a arranged closer to oneanother. FIG. 19D is a device head 14 a of three larger hooks 2 apositioned close to one another comprising a head 14 a of narrowerwidth. FIG. 19E depicts six smaller hooks 2 a positioned close to oneanother along a wide head 14 a. There are many more head variationspossible and may it suffice to state that all will occur as obvious inlight of what has thus far been disclosed.

There are numerous mechanical arrangements that may be employed tocreate a head that quickly and easily detaches and reattaches to thebody of the device. One preferred embodiment of the detachable head isdepicted in FIGS. 20A and 20B. These figures describe a head 14 a thatincludes roller couplings 14 d that pull away from the head mounts 15 aswell as a manifold intake 53 b that pulls away from the color containercoupling 51 b and a rack gear pin 16 b that pulls away from rack slideseat 7 b. Re-attaching the head in this instance simply requires theoperator to re-attach what has been detached.

Another detachable head embodiment is depicted in FIG. 21A-21C. Thesefigures describe an embodiment of the device featuring a detachablearrangement where the head 14 a of the device as well as the head mounts15 and actuator tines 18 detach. This arrangement allows the width ofthe head 14 a to vary from one detachable head to another. The FIG. 20detachable head arrangement alone does not.

The FIG. 21A-21C embodiment utilizes small spring loaded release levers(78 a and 78 h). FIG. 21C is included in order to provide a magnifiedview of the type of release lever (78 a and 78 h) used. The head releaselever 78 a allows the front portion of the top hinge plate 20 b todetach. In this manner, the head 14 a, head mounts 15, rack slide mount17 and rack slide 16 a detach from the device with one press of the headrelease lever 78 a trigger 78 b. An actuator release lever 78 h allowsthe front portion of the bottom hinge plate 20 c and therefore theactuator tines 18 to detach. Actuator tines 18 that are detachable arenecessary because a wider head mount 15 requires actuator tines 18 thatare wider.

As mentioned above, a head release lever 78 a is positioned on the frontof the top handle section 20 b. The trigger 78 b side of the lever 78 ais curved down following the contour of the distal front of the tophandle section 20 b and the latch side 78 c extends straight back andthen ends at a short right angle bend forming the latch pin 78 d. In theresting position, the latch pin 78 d rests in a small hole or latch pineyelet 78 e. The eyelet 78 e opens on the inside to the hollow insertseat 79 of the detachable front of the top handle section 20 b. Theinsert seat 79 of the detachable front of the top handle section 20 b isopen at the back and fits over the insert tab 80 a attached to thedistal front of the top handle section 20 b as it is in the detachedstate. An indentation or pin seat 80 b is located on the top surface ofthe insert tab 80 a. The pin seat 80 b lines up with the pin eyelet 78 ewhen the insert tab 80 a is the fully engaged position over the insertseat 79. This allows the latch pin 78 d to seat through the eyelet 78 eand into the pin seat 80 b thereby locking the detachable front of thedevice onto the body of the device with the tension of the elbow typelatch spring 78 f holding the latch pin 78 d in the pin seat 80 b. Inorder to detach the front of the device from the body, the operatorsimply presses down on the trigger 78 b of the lever 78 a causing thetrigger side 78 b and latch side 78 c to pivot on the hinge 78 g. As thetrigger side 78 b of the lever 78 a pivots down, the latch pin 78 dpivots up and out of the pin seat 80 b against the tension of the latchspring 78 f. With the latch pin 78 d lifted out of the pin seat 80 b,the operator simply pulls forward on the detachable front of the deviceand it simply slides off (FIG. 21B depicts the detachable head in thedetached position). As the latch pin 78 d is angled on the back, theoperator simply slides the insert seat 79 over the insert tab 80 a andthe latch pin 78 d lifts as it slides over the tab 80 a and then clicksdown into place within the latch pin seat 80 b urged by the tension ofthe latch spring 78 f.

Also depicted in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the actuator tines 18 detach fromand reattach to the front of the bottom handle section 20 c utilizingthe actuator release lever 78 h. See the description of the action ofhead release lever 78 a above for the action of the actuator releaselever 78 h.

Another preferred detachable head embodiment is depicted in FIG.22A-22F. This embodiment utilizes a dial with a spiral thread to adjustthe width of both the head mounts and the rack slide actuator. The dialadjustable head mounts will be described first followed by a descriptionof the dial adjustable rack slide actuator. It is important to notewhile considering the following dial adjustable head mount mechanicalarrangement that the rack slide 16 a, rack slide mount 17 and rack slidespring 19 are appropriately attached to one of the head mounts.

FIG. 22A shows each of the two head mounts 15 consists of a slide plate81 and a head mount 15. Each slide plate 81 is mounted separately ontothe front of the top handle section 20 b. Fixed to the top front of thetop handle section 20 b are two slide rails 82 that run parallel to andare a short distance from one another. Each slide plate 81 has two sliderail fittings 83 formed into it. Each fitting 83 tightly surrounds eachslide rail 82 on three sides but not so tight as to prevent each fitting83 from sliding along each rail 82. This slide arrangement confines themovement of each slide plate 81 as well as the head mount 15 fixed to itto a side to side slide. FIGS. 22A and 22B show a single dial 84 ispositioned over both slide plates 81 as they are fitted onto both sliderails 82. The dial 84 is mounted over the slide plates 81 by an axle 85that is fixed to the top handle section 20 b. The dial 84 is positionedin such a way that the dial 84 presses down firmly onto the railfittings 83 yet the dial 84 can turn. A knob 86 or more preferably a keyslot 86 will be positioned at the center of the dial 84 so that theoperator can easily turn the dial 84. A key slot 86 is more preferablebecause the dial 84 is also the thumb rest for the operator; therefore,a key slot 86 will be less obstructive for this purpose. The device willalso include a key that is similar in dimension to a coin so that theoperator may also use a coin to turn the dial 84.

Radiating from the axle 85 along the bottom of the dial 84 to theoutside edge of the dial 84 are two threads 87. These threads 87 arecurved thin grooves that form a spiral across the bottom of the dial 84.Fixed to and protruding from the top surface of the each slide plate 81is a short small and perhaps cylinder thread insert 88. As the nameimplies, the thread insert 88 seats into the thread 87 of the dial 84.Now, as the operator turns the dial 84, each thread insert 88 will moveback and forth along each thread 87 in turn causing each slide plate 81and head mount 15 to slide back and forth along each slide rail 82.

There are numbered dial positions 89 aligned with the back of the dial84. The area where the numbers are located is raised to the same levelas the slide rail fittings 83. There may be any number of dial positions89 indicated but preferably the number of positions will be the same asthe number of head widths available to the device. Our preferred dialembodiment has three positions.

A setting indicator 90 mark is positioned on the back edge of the topsurface of the dial 84. Positioned on the bottom of the dial 84 directlyunder the setting indicator 90 is a small protrusion 91. Positionedalong the raised numbered area of the top handle section 20 b areindentations 92. There is one indentation 92 positioned under the dial84 directly in front of each dial position 89. Also, each indentation 92is in line with the dial protrusion 91; so, as the operator turns thedial 84, the protrusion 91 will snap into the indentations 92. Eachsnap-in, numbered dial position 89 corresponds to a specific width of aparticular detachable head.

FIGS. 22B, 22C and 22D are all depictions of three dial 84 positions aswell as each corresponding head mount 15 position. FIG. 22E depicts thedial adjustable head mount embodiment including the head 14 a.

FIG. 22F depicts a bottom view of the device showing the actuator tines18 a with the same dial 84 controlled adjustability feature as the headmounts 15. Each of the two actuator tines 18 a consists of a slide plate81 and an actuator tine 18 a. Each slide plate 81 is mounted separatelyonto the bottom front of the bottom handle section 20 c. Fixed to thebottom front of the bottom handle section 20 c are two rails 82 that runparallel to and are a short distance from one another. All othermechanical aspects of the dial controlled adjustability feature of theactuator tines are identical to the mechanical aspects of the dialcontrolled adjustability feature of the head mounts describedpreviously.

FIG. 23A depicts a preferred pen or marker type embodiment of the devicethat is more compact and less complicated to use than the previousembodiments. This embodiment may be the most likely, of all of theembodiments presented so far, to be directed to the consumer market asit features only a single hooking applicator 1 a making it more possiblefor consumers to use the such a device on one another; or, on him orherself.

In general, FIG. 23A depicts a single hooking applicator or head 28 ofthe device fixed to a body plate 50 a along the side of the gear box 6.Extending away from the rear of the body plate is a parting stem 27. Asqueeze plate 44, approximately the same dimensions as the body plate 50a, is positioned a distance from and face to face to the body plate 50a.

Although the present embodiment features a single hooking applicator,this embodiment may also maintain nearly the same ease of use andmechanical configuration while featuring two or more hooking applicatorsas the head of the device. For instance, the present embodiment mayfeature a head comprised of two or three hooking applicators that arejoined to one another level and side by side. This head may also have abody plate fixed to the side of one of the gear boxes, and so on,including all of the mechanical features described in the following.Furthermore, like the single hooking applicator head, this two or threehooking applicator head does not require a head conformation feature asdoes the four or more hooking applicator head described previously. Thisis because the span of the two or three hooking applicator head isnarrow enough that a certain fixed orientation of said head willovercome the need for the head to bend or flex into the varied curvatureof the scalp.

An illustrated description of the hooking applicator has been presentedearlier in this disclosure; therefore, a description of the hookingapplicator in the following will occur in a cursory manner in order tocoordinate it with the detailed illustrated description of themechanisms involved in hook engagement and liquid hair color discharge.

The present single hooking applicator head embodiment features a similarsequential hair entraining and color dispensing trigger function to thepreviously described multiple hooking applicator head embodiment. Themechanism responsible for this will be described below.

As seen in FIG. 23B, a single trigger 29 a is hinged 30 to the front ofthe body plate 50 a to both body plate wings 50 b. As the trigger 29 amoves from the open resting position, it does so against the resistanceof the trigger spring 32. The wound pivotal section of the spring 32 ispositioned with the trigger hinge pin 31 running through it. The triggerspring 32 is leveraged on one end to the trigger 29 and on the other endto the top body plate wing 50 b by the trigger spring eyelet 33.

As seen in FIG. 23C, the trigger 29 a pivots on the trigger hinge 30toward the squeeze plate 44 causing the hook 2 a to pivot from the opentoward the closed position facilitated by a series of coordinated leverand slide hinge mechanisms that originate at the trigger 29 a. Thefollowing is a detailed description of this mechanical operation.

While viewing FIGS. 23B and 23C in sequence (also, see FIGS. 24A and 24Bin sequence), the trigger 29 a pivots from the resting position towardthe squeeze plate 44 causing the trigger slide 35 to pivot on thetrigger slide hinge 36 a while being pushed forward on the trigger slidehinge 36 a by the trigger slide push rod 36 b. This slide forward of thehinged back of the trigger slide 35 occurs as the push rod 36 b ishinged to both the trigger slide 35 as well as the trigger slide hinge36 a on one side while being hinged to the back of the body plate 50 aby the squeeze plate stabilizer hinge 46 on the other side; therefore,it is the coordinated hinged slide lever action of the push rod 36 b andthe trigger 29 a that pushes the trigger slide 35 at an angle forwardthrough the trigger slide guide 37.

As the trigger slide 35 moves forward, sandwiched between the triggerslide guide 37 and the top wing 50 b of the body plate 50 a, the frontof the trigger slide 35 is confined to a specific angled forward path asthe trigger slide channel 39 moves with the fixed trigger slide guidepin 38 positioned within. As the distal front of the trigger slide movesforward, it encounters the contact angle 40 b (indicated by the singleshort bold line) of the slide wedge 40 a. The movement of the front ofthe trigger slide 35 over the slide wedge contact angle 40 b causes theslide wedge 40 a to slide downward against the tension of the slidewedge spring 40 d, guided as it is sandwiched between the body plate 50a and the slide wedge bracket 41. This downward motion of the slidewedge 40 a causes the wedge section 40 c to wedge between the front ofthe body plate 50 a and the rack gear slide 42 a. As the rack gear slide42 a is fixed to the rack gear 7 a, the rack gear 7 a slides to theside. This motion of the rack gear 7 a causes the pinion gear 8 to turnthereby bringing the hook 2 a to the closed position over the applicatornozzle 11 a. Squeezing the trigger 29 a to the point where the hook 2 abecomes closed over the applicator nozzle 11 a causes the triggersqueeze plate contact point 29 b to come into contact with the squeezeplate 44. Continuing to squeeze the trigger 29 a maintains the hook 2 ain the closed position as the trigger slide 35 simply continues to moveforward over the fully engaged slide wedge contact angle 40 b, while thetrigger squeeze plate contact point 29 b continues to push the squeezeplate 44 toward the body plate 50 a.

As seen in FIG. 23B, the movement of the squeeze plate 44 is confined toa face to face approach toward the body plate 50 a by two (2) slidemechanisms: a squeeze plate slide hinge 48 a positioned at the front ofthe body plate 50 a and a squeeze plate slide stabilizer 45 positionedat the back of the body plate 50 a. The squeeze plate slide hinge 48 aguides this end of the squeeze plate 44 to slide back and forth face toface toward the body plate 50 a along the squeeze plate slide hingechannels 49 a. The squeeze plate slide stabilizer 45 also guides themovement of the squeeze plate 44 to a back and forth face to face slideat the back of the squeeze plate 44; however, this rectangular shapedrod 45, as it is hinged to the body plate 50 a on one side and hingedslidable to the squeeze plate 44 on the other side within the squeezeplate stabilizer slide brackets 47, allows the squeeze plate 44 toapproach the body plate 50 a along the same axis (x) as the trigger 29 apivots with little wobbling edge to edge along the y axis.

As seen in FIGS. 24A-24D, the approach of the squeeze plate 44 towardthe body plate 50 a occurs against the tension of the dual elbow squeezeplate spring 48 b located along the bottom front of the device (In orderto provide further clarity, the dual elbow spring 48 b, although it ispositioned along the bottom of the device, is shown in bold black inFIG. 24A). As the squeeze plate 44 approaches the body plate 50 a itdoes so preferably at an angle back relative to the body plate 50 a sothat the back of the squeeze plate 44 comes into contact with the backof the body plate 50 a first (as seen in FIG. 24C) followed by an angledforward approach of the front of the squeeze plate 44 toward the frontof the body plate 50 a until the full length of the squeeze plate 44 isin full face to face contact with the body plate 50 a (as seen in FIG.24D). This approach of the squeeze plate 44 toward the body plate 50 ais preferred in order that, when a full color container 51 j, such asthe preferred type depicted in FIG. 24A, is loaded functionally into thedevice, the color container 51 j is gradually, through successive runsof the device through a head of hair, emptied from back to front. Inpractice, each of said individual runs will begin as the squeeze plate44 and body plate 50 a appear in the position depicted in FIG. 24A andwill gradually follow, through successive individual runs, the entireFIG. 24 mechanical sequence until the squeeze plate 44 and body plate 50a meet face to face as depicted in FIG. 24D having emptied the colorcontainer 51 j.

This back to front emptying process of the color container 51 j isassured as the dual elbow spring 48 b is located at, and therefore,creates tension between the front of the squeeze plate 44 and the frontof the body plate 50 a, thereby, tensioning the front of each of the twoplates away from one another to the open most position. This tension ismaintained as one elbow of the dual elbow spring is attached on one sideto the body plate 50 a and on the other side to the squeeze plate slidehinge pin 49 b. The attachment between the spring and the front of thesqueeze plate is maintained as the bottom squeeze plate slide hinge pin49 b extends through the center of one of the two spring 48 b coils.This spring 48 b coil attachment is also the pivot point of a secondpreferred squeeze plate 44 tension. This front pivotal tension urges theback of the squeeze plate 44 to the open most position away from theback of the body plate 50 a when the trigger 29 a is released. Sinceboth of the outward tensions described above are located at the front ofthe two plates, inward pressure applied to the middle of the squeezeplate 44 by the contact point 29 b of the trigger 29 a will, throughsuccessive runs of the device through a head of hair, cause the back ofthe squeeze plate 44 to move toward and contact the back of the bodyplate 50 a first, followed by the approach of the front of the squeezeplate 44 toward the front of the body plate 50 a.

As seen in FIGS. 23B and 24A, the point in each individual run where thetrigger 29 a is released causes the trigger 29 a to pivot out to theopen position with the tension of the trigger spring 32. Said mechanicalaction causes the squeeze plate 44 to move away from the body plate 50a, thereby, returning the squeeze plate to the open resting positionagainst the tension of the dual elbow squeeze plate spring 48 b.Concurrently, the trigger slide 35 returns to the resting position and,in doing so, slides off of the slide wedge contact angle 40 b. Thisrelease of the slide wedge contact angle 40 b causes the slide wedge 40a to slide upward with the tension of the slide wedge spring 40 d,which, in turn, raises the wedge section 40 c of the slide wedge 40 aout from between the rack slide 42 a and the side of the gear box 6. Therack slide 42 a is then released to slide inward, guided by the rackslide seat 43 in which it is slidably seated, toward the side of thegear box 6 with the tension of the rack slide spring 42 b. Finally, asone side of the rack gear 7 is attached to the rack gear slide 42, theinward motion of the rack gear slide 42 a causes the rack gear 7 to moveback to the resting position along with the pinion gear 8 and thereforethe hook 2 a.

The color container valve, neck and coupling are the same as the colorcontainers described in the multi-hooking applicator embodimentdescribed earlier in this disclosure only embodied in the singular.

1-24. (canceled)
 25. A hair color container for a device for selectivelyentraining hair strands from a scalp having at least one hookingapplication, the hair color container comprising one of: dual chambers,each chamber containing a different hair color, and further comprising amixer to mix the different hair colors together after being squeezedfrom the hair color container and prior to application of the hair colorto the entrained hairs; or one chamber containing a hair color and arupturable pouch, the rupturable pouch containing another hair color,the rupturable pouch capable of being ruptured using a trigger mechanismof the device for selectively entraining hair strands from a scalphaving at least one hooking application to permit the hair colors to bemixed.
 26. The hair color container of claim 25, comprising one chambercontaining a hair color and a rupturable pouch, the rupturable pouchcontaining another hair color, the rupturable pouch capable of beingruptured using a trigger mechanism of the device for selectivelyentraining hair strands from a scalp having at least one hookingapplication to permit the hair colors to be mixed.
 27. The hair colorcontainer of claim 25, comprising dual chambers, each chamber containinga different hair color, and further comprising a mixer to mix thedifferent hair colors together after being squeezed from the hair colorcontainer and prior to application of the hair color to the entrainedhairs.
 28. The hair color container of claim 25, further comprising arefill port.